Hotel Sea Cliff

Zanzibar – West

A Brand new luxury 120 room property on the isolated west coast of Zanzibar which provide the perfect hideaway for every visitor.

Overview

The Hotel Sea Cliff is a brand new construction on the isolated coast of Mangapwani. Traditionally the majority of large hotels have stuck to the east coast; however the team behind the Sea Cliff has opted for the much quieter west. With all the facilities of a European standard 5* hotel a stay at the Sea Cliff is one of luxury, beauty and peace. Only a short drive from Stone Town you can be relaxing by one of the huge pools, cocktail in hand with some of the most stunning views anywhere on the west coast within 30 minutes of getting off the plane – perfect!

Accommodation

With a modest 120 rooms the Sea Cliff is perfect for those that want to get involved with the social aspect of a holiday – it is large enough to have a great atmosphere but small enough to offer the excellent personal service generally reserved for much smaller, boutique properties. Of the 120 rooms all offer air-conditioning and ceiling fans, LCD television with international satellite channels, hair dryer, internet, telephone, minibar, tea & coffee facilities, iPod docking station and a private balcony. There are three room categories at the Sea Cliff; 80 are Superior and offer spectacular panoramic sea views. Garden rooms number 24 and are slightly set back inland however still offer the same amenities as the superior rooms. For those really wanting something special there are 16 Junior Suites with spectacular sea views and a luxurious free standing bath.

Facilities

Certainly one of the most equipped hotels on the island. The Hotel Sea Cliff boasts 2 large infinity pools overlooking the ocean, a children’s pool, an extensive water sports centre offering waterskiing, wakeboarding, kayaking, windsurfing and pedaloes. For those that prefer dry land the hotel has a squash court, 2 tennis courts, pool table, darts, fully equipped gym, yoga deck, adventure golf and bicycles.

One particularly good facility at the Hotel Sea Cliff is the children’s club. The hotel offers a fully secure service with trained child minders which is obviously a welcome addition for those parents wanting a few hours alone! The kids club offers a well thought out schedule of activities that changes regularly. The club has several Play stations (no Dad’s allowed) and an outside play area for the more active child!

The hotel has three choices of restaurant; the Mangapwani restaurant offers local and international buffet, the Terrace restaurant is a more casual dining area overlooking the Indian Ocean, and the Kobe restaurant offers light lunch options around the pool. There are 3 bars across the resort; the sophisticated Zanzi-Bar overlooks the ocean and is perfect for a stylish sundowner cocktail or a vintage whiskey. The Kobe poolside bar and the jetty bar are more casual affairs offering a wide selection of beers, wines, spirits and cocktails.

For those that want a truly relaxing experience the acclaimed Shwari Spa offers a wide range of treatments from the expert Balinese therapists. The luxurious surroundings, professional staff and outstanding therapies ensure you walk away feeling revived and rejuvenated. Several different treatment rooms cater for all; a couples room for the romantics and multiple single rooms for those wanting some downtime. The Shwari Spa is also equipped with a steam room, sauna and relaxing pool to enjoy with a refreshing juice ‘post-treatment’.

Other activities

With international conferences, celebrations and weddings in mind the Hotel Sea Cliff have built 3 conference rooms. For more information on the facilities available in the rooms and pricing please contact our Zanziplanet Team now.

Zanziplanet reviews

We made some time in our schedule to visit the newly opened Sea Cliff in December 2010. Having only been opened a week we were almost expecting workmen to be scattered around completing the final touches to the resort. How surprised we were to see a perfectly finished resort, with professional staff waiting at their stations, smiles on faces. The overall look of the hotel is one of luxury and class. Although it is a fairly large hotel one gets a sense of being in a much smaller property due to the well thought out layout and construction. The decor is not overstated, and will not age quickly, which is obviously important a few years down the line. The rooms are finished to an impeccable standard and are sure to impress anyone who has spent time in similarly sized hotels around the world. As the hotel is on a cliff you get some truly spectacular views from the bars and pools. The beach is only a short walk, cycle or golf cart ride to the right and the tidal activity is minimal in comparison to anywhere on the east coast – this is of huge importance to those wishing to have a swimmable sea 24 hours a day.

To sum up the Hotel Sea Cliff is a welcome addition to our portfolio. With all the facilities and amenities of a 5* hotel it is sure to please even the most discerning traveler and will certainly be giving some of the top sellers a run for their money in 2013!

Mbweni Ruins Hotel

Zanzibar – West

Nestled in beautiful botanic gardens on the beach just 10 minutes South of Stone Town.Overview

Mbweni Ruins Hotel is on the west coast, about 6km from Stone Town and near Chumbe Island marine sanctuary. It’s also on the site of the ruins of an old Arab House, which over the years has had many uses, including a chapel and school for freed slave girls as recommended by Dr Livingstone in 1857.

Mbweni Ruins is a small intimate hotel with a good location away from the hectic chaos of Stone Town, but still close enough to pop in and see the sites. The hotel even provides a complimentary shuttle bus which runs several times each day.

Accommodation

Standard Rooms
All rooms have air conditioning and traditional Zanzibar furniture. All are close to the swimming pool and have a balcony overlooking the beach.

The Baobab Suite
The Baobab suite is perfect for honeymooners and those wanting that little extra. This suite has a king size four-poster bed and its own private roof top terrace with views out over the ocean.

Facilities

The gardens surrounding the property are exceptionally well maintained and well worth a look, as are the Ruins. The property does have a restaurant which attracts visitors from Stone Town and serves a good quality of food for the budget.

This hotel is a perfect base for those wishing to explore Stone Town without staying in the centre of the city and ideally situated for a trip to Chumbe Island, – which is a must for any trip to Zanzibar.

Zanziplanet reviews

This is an exceptionally well run guest house with friendly staff in a good location. As it is part of the Adventure Camps group, (who also operate Lake Manze and Selous Impala Camps in the Selous Game Reserve), they are very well organized and well run with excellent staff who are helpful and well trained. The beach here is lovely and often under-rated because Zanzibar has so many other beaches to offer as well. Indeed, the sunsets over the sea which can be watched from the beach at Mbweni Ruins are often nothing short of spectacular!

We would recommend a stay of up to a week whilst exploring the nearby area, then perhaps selecting a hotel along the east coast for the remainder of your time on the island. Mbweni Ruins makes a perfect base for exploring Stone Town without being stuck in the centre of the busy city, as well as a perfect base for most of the other main tour attractions on the island, such as the very highly recommended Safari Blue which departs just south of here, the day trip to Chumbe Island, visits to the Spice Farms and Jozani Forest and more! If you wish to do any of these activities whilst in Zanzibar, Mbweni Ruins is a great spot from which to base your explorations!